Method and device for operating a uv-radiation source

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for operating a UV radiation source of the low-pressure gas discharge type. Said method comprises the following steps:—impingement of at least one heating coil with a heating voltage until the temperature of said coil has been increased;—impingement of the heating coil with a starting voltage in order to induce a gas discharge;—maintenance of the gas discharge by the application of a maintaining voltage and the disconnection of the heating voltage after the gas discharge has been started; in addition the following steps are preferably executed at any point in the method:—interrogation of an identification means that is connected to the UV radiation source and—if the response to the interrogation is negative, prevention or interruption of the operation,—if the response to the interrogation is positive, authorization of the operation. The invention also relates to a UV radiation source comprising a base body ( 20 ) and at least one connection zone which bears a number of electric connections ( 24, 25; 26, 27 ), whereby an identification means ( 28 ) that can be interrogated electrically is connected to the base body ( 20 ); and to a UV disinfection facility for fluids, in particular for water or waste water, said facility comprising at least one UV radiation source and an electric control and supply circuit that is located at a distance from the radiation source, whereby the control and supply circuit comprises an interrogation means which is suitable for verifying the presence of an identification means which is optionally assigned to the UV radiation source(s).

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a UVradiation source, a UV radiation source itself as well as a UVdisinfection facility for fluids with a radiation source.

[0002] These kinds of method and devices have been known in practice fora long time. In many cases so-called low-pressure mercury lamps are usedas the UV radiation source, which with a high degree of efficiency emitUV light of a wavelength which is suitable for destroying microorganismsin fluids. In this way effluent is disinfected without using chemicalswithin the presently valid limits, whereby the degree of disinfection isa function of the UV dose applied.

[0003] In particular with regard to compliance with applicable legallimits for lamp operation, in practice there is a problem that, firstly,the working efficiency of the deployed lamps degrades the longer suchlamps are in operation and, as a consequence thereof, such lamps must bereplaced after the expiration of a given operating time. Secondly, theoperational characteristics of a UV disinfection facility can bedisadvantageously altered if the lamps which are no longer usable arereplaced by third party manufacturer—sourced radiation lamps which arenot suitable with respect to their power or work efficiency rating toproduce the requisite high radiation power over the predicted operatinglife.

[0004] It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to providea method, a UV radiation source, as well as a UV disinfection facilityin connection with which the commencement of operation of thedisinfection facility with a lamp which is not sourced from anauthorized manufacturer cannot be undertaken without effort beyond thenormal lamp installation effort. In a further embodiment of theinvention, each individual radiation source is to be individuallyidentifiable and, to the extent possible, is to be identified with theactually incurred operating hours.

[0005] The object of the invention is achieved by a method having thefeatures recited in claim 1. Due to the fact that selected locations aresupplemented with an identification means connected to the UV radiationsource, and upon interrogation, if the response to the interrogation isnegative, the operation is prevented or interrupted, and if the responseto the interrogation is positive, authorization for the operation isgiven, a facility can only be started up if the identification means ispresent and is operating to identify the radiation source as an approvedradiation source.

[0006] Further advantageous steps of the process are described in thedependent claims.

[0007] The object is further achieved by a UV radiation source havingthe features recited in claim 6. Due to the fact that an identificationmeans which can be interrogated electronically is connected to the basebody, a control correspondingly oriented for performing an interrogationof the identification means can interrogate this identification means.Only a UV radiation source having been provided with this identificationmeans from an approved manufacturer and for this reason deemedauthorized can then be recognized as authorized by a correspondinglyoriented control.

[0008] The object of the invention is further achieved by a UVdisinfection facility having the features recited in claim 12. Due tothe fact that the control and supply circuit has an interrogation means,which is suitable for verifying the presence of one of the at least oneidentification means, which has been selectively configured as a UVradiation source, the UV disinfection facility can request informationconcerning the type and, therefore, the properties of the UV radiationsource as well as, as desired, the condition of the UV radiation sourceand thereby make possible the commencement of operation of theinterrogated UV radiation source with the origin of the UV radiationsource being the decision criterion for the commencement or not of theoperation. In this manner, the commencement of operation ofnon-authorized radiation sources can be prevented.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments are recited in the dependent claimsconcerning the device.

[0010] In accordance with further details of the method of the presentinvention, it can be additionally provided that the interrogation stepis performed before the impingement of the radiation source with astarting voltage and, preferably, also before the impingement thereof aswell with a heating voltage. It can be provided that the identificationmeans contains information about the manufacturer and/or the type of theradiation source and, in this way not only the origin, but, as well, thepower, the emission characteristic, etc. can be established. If inaddition to this, the identification means also comprises informationindividually identifying the radiation source by way of a serial number,the use and operation of each such individually identified radiationsource can be monitored throughout its operational life.

[0011] The identification means can have a read-write memory whichcontains information concerning the cumulative operating life of theradiation source. In this manner, the actual number of operating hoursof a radiation source can be recorded and, indeed, can be recorded evenif the respective radiation source has been removed from a disinfectionfacility before reaching its maximum operating life and thereafterre-inserted. Lack of certainty or ambiguity regarding the age of theradiation source cannot, therefore, arise.

[0012] If the radiation source, in accordance with claim 6, is furtherprovided with identification means connected to the base body in such amanner that a release of the identification means from the base bodywould effect destruction of the identification means, deliberateunauthorized manipulation of the light source is also not possible. Theidentification means can, moreover, be an electronic circuit which isconnected by the electrical connections and, in this way, can beelectrically evaluated. In this connection, the identification means canhave two electrical connections and be electrically connected inparallel to a heating coil. The identification means can also have three(or more) electrical connections, two of which are electricallyconnected in parallel to a heating coil and at least a third connectionprovided for data transmission.

[0013] The identification means can alternatively be configured as atransponder, which conventionally receives and transmits in a wirelessmanner and which identifies the radiation source depending upon thereturn answer of the radiation source to an interrogation thereof.

[0014] Due to the fact that the UV disinfection facility is furtheroutfitted such that the interrogation means is associated with anelectronic starting device, a data transmission can be effected directlyvia the connecting wires of the UV radiation source. In this manner, theinterrogation means provided in the UV disinfection facility can beconnected via a 2-wire lead to the identification means assigned to theUV radiation source. The interrogation means can preferably exchangedata in the form of signals with the identification means, which aremodulated in correspondence with a heating voltage of a heating coil. Inthis manner, the number of electrical connecting wires required forconnection between the control and the UV radiation source is minimized.

[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are describedbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1: A flow chart of a method according to the invention, inwhich an identification process is undertaken before the radiationsource is activated;

[0017]FIG. 2: A basic view of a radiation source in the form alow-pressure mercury lamp with a chip identifying it as the radiationsource; as well as

[0018]FIG. 3: A block diagram of an electronic starting device for usein a UV disinfection facility and for performing the method of thepresent invention.

[0019] In FIG. 1, an operational diagram shown as a flow chartillustrates the method of the present invention. This flow chartdescribes a variation of the method which is intended for UV lamps inwhich the identification means is provided in the form of an electroniccomponent extending parallel to one of the two heating coils, thecontrol of, and receipt of information from, the identification meansbeing accomplished via the two connecting wires which are anywayprovided for the electrical supply to the heating coil.

[0020] In the first step of the method, which precedes the actualoperation, the identification circuit of the factory new, not previouslyinserted lamp is provided in the work location with a unique code. Thecode contains both the identity of the manufacturer and the type of thelamp, as well as a unique serial number associated solely with therespective lamp. This code is stored in a non-volatile memory,preferably EEPROM.

[0021] In operation, that is, when the lamp is deployed in a UVdisinfection facility for effluent, initially, the method step 2 isperformed in which the heating coils of the UV lamp are pre-heated viaimpingement by a heating voltage. The heating voltage in this caseserves as a supply voltage for the identification circuit, which isconnected in parallel to the heating coil. If the application of thepre-heat voltage is accounted for, then, in the third step of themethod, a signal operable as an interrogation sequence is modulated tocorrespond with the pre-heat voltage. The signal contains theinterrogation information in the form of a pulse sequence. In step 4 ofthe method, the presence and correlation of the code with the predefinedvalues is confirmed by means of a digital logic, which is integratedinto the electronic start device of the respective lamp. If the code isnot accepted, the lamp is not approved for the given UV disinfectionfacility or, if the code is, moreover, entirely missing, step 5 of themethod is selected by the digital logic and the operational access tothe facility is blocked at least with respect to this one respectivelamp.

[0022] If the code received in step 4 is recognized as valid, then step6 of the method is performed whereupon the code is stored in theelectronic start device. In this manner, the lamp connected at therespective location can be identified at a later operational time viareading of the identification stored in the electronic start devicewithout the need to repeat the interrogation process.

[0023] Then, in continuing with the performance of the method, step 7 isperformed in that the starting voltage is applied to the lamp, and,after the commencement of operation of the lamp, the operation ismaintained with the normal lighting voltage. After start up, thepre-heating, which was activated in step 2 of the method, isde-activated.

[0024] In regular operation, following the passage of a prescribed timein the step 8 of the method, the pre-heating is again activated when theUV radiation source is in operation, in order to feed the identificationcircuit with its supply voltage. In step 9, the time expired since theperformance of step 7 is recorded in an operating hour counting—typedevice in the identification circuit. Thereafter, in step 10, thepre-heat voltage is again de-activated. Steps 8, 9 and 10 can, asdesired, be repetitively executed in a prescribed cycle such as, forexample, every 12 hours, so that, in the memory of the identificationcircuit, substantially real time current information about the operatinghours of the individual lamp accumulated up to the point is stored.

[0025] If the UV disinfection facility is shut down according toschedule, the pre-heat voltage is again activated in step 11 of themethod and the final number of operating hours is transmitted to theidentification circuit and stored therein. Then, the entire facility isde-activated and remains so until the facility is re-activated in a step12 of the method. The new activation cycle begins again with step 2 ofthe method as described herein above.

[0026] In the event that an unscheduled facility shut down occurs,during, for example, a power failure occurring after step 10, theidentification circuit will contain substantially real time currentinformation about the operating hours. The age of this information is,at the most, as old as the most recent repeat cycle of steps 8-10.

[0027] The method described heretofore proceeds in a similar manner forthe other identification circuits and identification means. In thismanner, for example, a separate wire can be provided from the electronicstart device to the identification means for data transmission purposes.If it is possible to omit the recording of the operating hours in theidentification means, then identification can alternatively be effectedin a wireless manner via a transponder, which only conveys a codewithout itself storing data. Also, in connection with this solution, itis ensured that, in step 4 of the method, an unapproved code will berecognized, and that the facility transitions to step 5 of the method toblock the operation, if unapproved lamps are used.

[0028] In this manner, it is ensured that the UV disinfection facilitycannot be operated if unapproved lamps are used, whereby the UV dose towhich the effluent is exposed is below the stipulated level and,therefore, pathogenic microorganisms could possibly be released to theeffluent. The method, therefore, operates to guarantee reliableoperation, compliance with the prescribed limits, and, finally,protection of the environment against microbiological contamination.

[0029] In FIG. 2, a UV radiation source with an identification meansconfigured in accordance with the present invention is diagrammaticallyshown. A base body 20 in the form of a gas-tight closed quartz tubeforms a radiation volume 21, which contains a charge of gas as isconventionally known in connection with a low-pressure mercury lamp. Aheating coil 22, 22′ is arranged, respectively, on each end of the basebody 20 in each configuration, the connecting wires 24, 25; 26, 27thereof leading out from the base body. These wires normally terminatein a ceramic base (not shown) and are configured as contact pins.

[0030] An identification means 28 in the form of an integrated circuitis provided between the connecting wires 24, 25 of the heating coil 22.The integrated circuit, in this configuration, is secured to the ceramicbase due to thermal and mechanical considerations and the ceramic basesupports the connecting wires 24 and 25. The UV radiation source,excepting the identification circuit 28, is conventionally known. In thevariation shown with the contact to identification circuit 28 effectedvia the connecting wires 24, 25, the UV radiation source provided withthe identification means 28 remains compatible with facilities which arealready in operation without the inventive circuit.

[0031] Finally, in FIG. 3, an electronic start device is shown in ablock diagram, the electronic start device being suitable for operatingthe UV radiation source illustrated in FIG. 2 and for implementing themethod as illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 1.

[0032] The electronic start device includes a control 30, which controlsa main supply circuit 31 as well as two voltage sources 32 to effectpre-heating of the heating coils 22, 22′. The control 30 also controls adigital logic 33 as well as a switch 34. *p+12X The outputs of thevoltage supply 32, as illustrated in FIG. 2, are connected to theconnecting wires 24, 25; 26, 27 of the radiation source.

[0033] The operation of the device is in accordance with the methoddescribed with respect to FIG. 1 in that, initially, control of thevoltage source 32 is undertaken to effect the pre-heating and,thereafter, closing of the switch 34 is undertaken, so that the digitallogic 33 can modulate the interrogation sequence executed via the leads24, 25. The result of the read operation is evaluated by the digitallogic 33 acting as an evaluation means and conveyed to the main supplycircuit 31. If the lamp connected to the leads 24-27 is authorized tostart operation, then the switch 34 is opened and the start impulse isapplied via the connecting wires 35, 36 to the connecting wires 25, 26.If the radiation source is activated, then, consequently, only themaintenance voltage continues to be fed to the radiation source from themain supply circuit. The voltage supply 32 is then de-activated and isturned on again only if a new read or write operation is to be executed,as was described in detail in connection with FIG. 1.

[0034] The commencement of operation of a lamp can also be blocked by acentral control in a modification of the heretofore described operation,if one of the lamps is not recognized as an authorized lamp.

1. A method for operating a UV radiation source of the low-pressure gasdischarge type, comprising the following steps: impinging at least oneheating coil with a heating voltage to effecting the heating thereof upto an increased heating coil temperature; impinging the heating coilwith a starting voltage to induce a gas discharge; maintaining thedischarging of gas by applying a maintenance voltage and de-activatingthe heating voltage after the step of impinging the heating coil with astarting voltage; characterized in that the following steps areadditionally performed at times as selected during the course ofperforming the method: interrogating an identification means connectedwith a UV radiation source, and in the event that a response to theinterrogation of the identification means is negative, preventing orinterrupting operation of the UV radiation source connected with theidentification means, in the event that a response to the interrogationof the identification means is positive, permitting the operation of theUV radiation source to proceed as an authorized operation.
 2. A methodaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the step of interrogatingthe identification means is performed before the step of impinging theheating coil with a starting voltage.
 3. A method according to one ofthe foregoing claims, characterized in that the identification meanscontains information about the manufacturer and/or the type of radiationsource.
 4. A method according to one of the foregoing claims,characterized in that the identification means contains informationuniquely individually associated with the radiation source in the formof a serial number.
 5. A method according to one of the foregoingclaims, characterized in that the identification means includes aread/write memory which contains information about the accumulatedoperating life of the radiation source.
 6. A UV radiation source with abase body (20) and at least one connection area, which supports aplurality of electrical connections (24, 25; 26, 27), characterized inthat an identification means which can be electrically interrogated isconnected to the base body (20).
 7. A UV radiation source according toclaim 6, characterized in that the identification means (28) isconnected to the base body (20) in a manner such that the identificationmeans is destroyed if it is removed from the base body.
 8. A UVradiation source according to one of the foregoing claims, characterizedin that the identification means (28) is an electronic circuit which isconnected by the electrical connections (24, 25; 26, 27).
 9. A UVradiation source according to one of the foregoing claims, characterizedin that the identification means (28) has two electrical connections(24, 25) and is electrically connected in parallel to a heating coil(22).
 10. A UV radiation source according to one of the foregoingclaims, characterized in that the identification means (28) has threeelectrical connections and is electrically connected in parallel to aheating coil (22) and a third connection is provided for datatransmission.
 11. A UV radiation source according to one of theforegoing claims, characterized in that the identification means (28) isa transponder.
 12. A UV disinfection facility for fluid disinfectinghandling of, in particular, water or effluent, with at least one UVradiation source and an electrical control and supply circuit spacedfrom the light source, characterized in that the electrical control andsupply circuit comprises an interrogation means which is configured forverifying the presence of at least one identification means associatedas desired with a UV radiation source.
 13. A UV disinfecting facilityaccording to claim 6, characterized in that an electronic start deviceis associated with the identification means.
 14. A UV disinfectingfacility according to one of the above claims, characterized in that theinterrogation means is connected with the identification means via atwo-wire lead.
 15. A UV disinfecting facility according to one of theabove claims, characterized in that the interrogation means and theidentification means exchange unidirectional or bi-directional data inthe form of signals, which are modulated to correlate with the voltageof a heating coil.